If you thought we’d go more than a week without something notable to chew on when it comes to the Vancouver Canucks, then you’re officially wrong.
On Monday, Sporstnet’s Iain MacIntyre published an exclusive Q&A with Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin. In the interview, Allvin touched on how 2024 went for the Canucks, Saturday’s loss to the Kraken, depth players like Kiefer Sherwood exceeding expectations, and more.
Another thing Allvin mentioned a few times was the team’s top players, who, aside from Quinn Hughes, have struggled to consistently produce the way they did last year. The GM he expects more from the team’s top players, and that doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
What may come as more of a surprise is how Allvin answered this question: You do have an out on that contract because Pettersson’s trade protection doesn’t start until next season. But is moving your 26-year-old star actually possible?
Allvin’s answer to that question, per MacIntyre:
Allvin (smiling): “Well, you know Jim’s history.
“We want to build a team that sets us up for long-term success. Building around the long-term deals with Miller and Petey, having Quinn and Demko locked up, Filip Hronek and Jake DeBrusk, I mean, those are big pieces. Petey has shown up to this point that he is an extremely talented, quality player that could and should be a No. 1 centre. I believe in him. I believe that he’s capable. (But) he needs to mature and understand that there are certain expectations and it does not get easier. And you need to face the music when things don’t go well. Is it (a trade) possible? I guess I would say anything is possible.”
Allvin and the Canucks signed Pettersson to an eight-year contract with an annual average value of $11.6 million last season. This is the first season of the contract, and to this point, Pettersson has had a relatively inconsistent season, with 28 points through 34 games in year one of the deal. Notably, and as Allvin is clearly well-aware of, this is the only year of the contract that doesn’t carry any movement clauses. After July 1st, 2025, Pettersson’s contract will carry a full no-move clause until it expires in 2032.
Will the Canucks trade Pettersson? Almost certainly not. Allvin’s answer even suggests that keeping their big pieces is plan A for the Canucks.
That being said, it is certainly interesting to hear Allvin keep that door open publicly as he did today.